Changes for game 2

I’m writing this while sitting in Bloomington, MN on our way to Chicago for game 2 tomorrow night. Why am I in Bloomington? Well, it’s all for our Jets fan documentary. This is the easy part – getting to Chicago. It’s the road trip from Chicago to Phoenix that’s no doubt going to be the tough one, but not necessarily as tough as game two, or even three.

Thursday marks the first road game for the Winnipeg Jets of the regular season. And while it’s the second home game for the Blackhawks, their 1-1-0 record will no doubt be something they want to improve on. Unlike most expected, the Jets didn’t win their home opener. Most consider it to be a result of nerves. As Chris Thorburn was quoted in a TSN story, “the non-stop cheering was really difficult to get used to.”

In Chicago, there will likely be less pressure from local fans for the Jets to win. However we do know that there will be a large number of them in attendance.

What do the Jets have to change?

The Winnipeg Jets don’t have to change anything specific. The first game is under their belt now and they can relax knowing that the game just 38 hours later on Saturday in Phoenix will no doubt have a home game feel. In the home opener Pavelec looked very shaky when handling the puck and can now relax and build off the confidence he was showing in the third period. Of course there’s the question of Oduya. Not only did he cough up the puck, but it resulted in not one, but two goals. If the Jets change anything, it could be a reduction in his ice time. In the first game he logged 16:12 minutes. That’s good enough for 9th most ice-time on the team. Granted it’s the second least amount of time for a D-man, but only ahead of Mark Stuart. At least Stuart logged a point in the game.

Other reports indicate that Maxwell is back from injury and expected to play in Chicago. Along with Kane is practicing on the second line with Burmistrov & Antropov.

What are you expecting to see on the ice in Chicago for game two? The result? Let us know.